Abstract: A control device includes a shape information storage storing shape information to be plotted, a stroke generation unit generating first and second stroke data having transmission start and end coordinates of first and second strokes, a scanning start time computation unit determining scanning start time of the second stroke by adjusting, when selecting first and second points having a shortest distance, a waiting time to scan the second stroke, a traveling rate from the transmission end coordinates of the first stroke to the transmission start coordinates of the second stroke, and scanning rates of scanning the first and second strokes to have a desired time interval between the selected points, a plotting instruction generation unit generating plotting instructions including the scanning start time of the second stroke and the transmission start and end coordinates of the first and second strokes, a plotting instruction storage storing the plotting instructions, and a plotting instruction execution unit exe

Abstract: An image processing apparatus detects an edge from image data and generates edge data indicating a result of the detection, obtains a variance value of the generated edge data, and determines that the image data is data with print information when the obtained variance of the edge data is equal to or larger than a threshold and determines that the image data is data without print information when the variance is smaller than the threshold value.

Abstract: A system for halftone processing is provided. The system includes a programmable halftone segmentation system having one or more programmable parameters to accommodate different input image parameters, such as different printer or scanner parameters, and configured to generate output control data as a function of image input data. A programmable output processor receives the output control data and the image input data and generates image output data that compensates for halftone regions in the image input data.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a method and system for processing isolated holes in an image to be printed or displayed. The method includes detecting whether pixels corresponding to an isolated hole in the image are in an off state, determining a sum of pixels that are in an on state in a first pixel ring surrounding the pixels corresponding to the isolated hole when the one or more pixels in the isolated hole are detected to be in the off state, comparing the sum of pixels in the pixel ring that are in the on state with a threshold sum, turning off a number of pixels in at least another pixel ring either comprising of or surrounding the pixels when the first sum of pixels in the on state is greater than the threshold sum, and outputting the isolated hole including the turned off first number of pixels.

Abstract: A scanning apparatus (200) includes a chassis (102), an actuator (104) that moves along a first axis (106, 110) with respect to the chassis, and a scanning head, e.g., an optical scanning head (108), that is mechanically coupled to the actuator and that moves along a second axis that is the same as or substantially parallel to the first axis. Methods of controlling vibration in a scanning apparatus include moving the actuator along the first axis and moving the scanning head along the second axis such that the actuator functions as a counterbalance weight for the moving scanning head, thereby reducing vibration in the scanning apparatus by decoupling translation of the actuator from the chassis.

Abstract: A light scanning device includes a movable section having a light reflecting section adapted to reflect light, oscillating around an oscillation axis, and having a variable magnitude of a maximum deflection angle of the oscillating, and a detection section adapted to detect the maximum deflection angle of the movable section, and the detection section includes a light source adapted to emit light to the light reflecting section, a light receiving section adapted to receive reflected light, which is the light emitted from the light source and then reflected by the light reflecting section, and a displacement driving section adapted to change a position of the light source in accordance with the maximum deflection angle of the movable section.

Abstract: An image reading device includes a transporter transporting a document to a reading position, a first corrector correcting a skew of the document by coming into contact with a leading edge thereof, a radiating unit radiating light to the document, an image-information acquiring unit acquiring image information of the document based on information of light reflected therefrom, a reflector reflecting the radiated light, a leading-edge detector comparing a quantity of light reflected by the reflector with a quantity of light reflected by the document so as to detect the leading edge, a skew-amount calculator calculating a skew amount of the leading edge, and a second corrector correcting a skew of the image information based on the skew amount. The device switches between the skew correction by the first corrector and the skew correction by the second corrector based on document information, the skew amount, or user's selection.

Abstract: A document reading section includes a document load table, a document load tray, a first document receiving tray, a linear conveyance path, a first guide member and a first reading section. The linear conveyance path, inclining downward from the document load tray, reaches the first document receiving tray. The first guide member is disposed in the linear conveyance path, and its top surface inclines downward along the linear conveyance path toward a downstream side in a document conveying direction in relation to the document load table. The first guide member is disposed in such a manner that part of its top surface intersects with a plane containing a top surface of the document load table.

Abstract: A digital holography device includes a light source that emits light, the light source being provided for supply of object light beams formed by radiation, transmission, scattering, reflection, or diffraction of the emitted light from a subject, an array device that splits the light emitted from the light source into two kinds of reference light beams having different phases in a plane perpendicular to a direction in which the light emitted from the light source travels, a CCD camera having an image-capturing plane on which two kinds of interference fringe patterns are recorded, the interference fringe patterns being formed by interferences between the two kinds of reference light beams, and the object light beams, and an image reconstruction device that generates a reconstructed image of the subject from the two kinds of interference fringe patterns recorded on the image-capturing plane.

Abstract: Pre-sensitization techniques can be used in conjunction with holographic recording materials to allow high quality holographic stereograms to be recorded in those holographic recording materials using pulsed lasers. Various hologram production system hardware and software designs for use with pulsed lasers can be used with the pre-sensitization techniques.

Abstract: A micro-mirror includes stiffer end sections for limiting curvature, and thin middle sections forming ground electrodes and a hinge. Spacers arc provided beneath the thin middle sections of the micro-mirror for supporting hot electrodes, which attract the ground electrodes for rotating the micro-mirror about a tilt axis. The spacers enable the gap between the hot electrode and the micro-mirror to be designed separately from the thickness of the micro-mirror, and the gap between the ends of the micro-mirror and the substrate.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a two-dimensional scanning arrangement for a laser vein-illumination device that includes a base and a frame connected to the base using at least one flexible hinge. The hinge allows the frame to move angularly with respect to the base in a first direction. The invention further includes a means for exciting angular oscillations of the frame at or near said frame's resonant frequency. An elastic torsional element having a proximal end rigidly attached to said frame and a distal end rigidly attached to a mirror is also included. The torsional element allows the mirror to move angularly with respect to the frame in a second direction, generally perpendicular to the first direction. There may also be a means for exciting the angular oscillations of the mirror. The invention also includes a device for optically inspecting confined spaces having one or more small access orifices.

Abstract: Methods and systems for encoding multi-level pulse amplitude modulated signals using integrated optoelectronics are disclosed and may include generating a multi-level, amplitude-modulated optical signal utilizing an optical modulator driven by two or more electrical input signals. The optical modulator may include optical modulator elements coupled in series and configured into groups. The number of optical modular elements and groups may configure the number of levels in the multi-level amplitude modulated optical signal. Unit drivers may be coupled to each of the groups. The electrical input signals may be synchronized before communicating them to the unit drivers. Phase addition may be synchronized utilizing one or more electrical delay lines. The optical modulator may be integrated on a single substrate, which may include one of: silicon, gallium arsenide, germanium, indium gallium arsenide, polymers, or indium phosphide.

Abstract: A method of bonding metal and glass using an optical contact bonding includes depositing an optical contact bonding medium on a surface of a metal substrate; and bonding the metal substrate on which the optical contact bonding medium is formed to a glass substrate using optical contact bonding.

Abstract: A reflective element assembly for a vehicular rearview mirror assembly includes front and rear substrates with an electro-optic medium disposed therebetween. An electrical connector has an attachment portion and a wire receiving portion for receiving an electrical wire therein. A flange of the attachment portion is configured to be disposed at a fourth surface of the rear substrate and a tab is configured to extend at least partially across a perimeter edge of the rear substrate. An electrically conductive material is disposed in an uncured state and uncured electrically conductive material flows at least partially through the aperture and is cured to secure the electrical connector at the rear substrate. The wire receiving portion of the electrical connector is configured to receive the electrical wire therein and includes at least one tang that engages the electrical wire when the electrical wire is inserted into the wire receiving portion.

Abstract: Embodiments provided herein describe electrochromic devices and methods for forming electrochromic devices. The electrochromic devices include a transparent substrate, a transparent conducting oxide layer coupled to the transparent substrate, and a layer of electrochromic material coupled to the transparent conducting oxide layer. The transparent conducting oxide layer includes indium and zinc.

Abstract: Window units, for example insulating glass units (IGU's), that have at least two panes, each pane having an electrochromic device thereon, are described. Two optical state devices on each pane of a dual-pane window unit provide window units having four optical states. Window units described allow the end user a greater choice of how much light is transmitted through the electrochromic window. Also, by using two or more window panes, each with its own electrochromic device, registered in a window unit, visual defects in any of the individual devices are negated by virtue of the extremely small likelihood that any of the visual defects will align perfectly and thus be observable to the user.

Abstract: An electro-phoretic display device includes a first substrate, an active elements array, a driving circuit, a conductive flexible board, an electro-phoretic layer and a second substrate. The first substrate has a first surface defining a display area and a circuit area, and a second surface. The active elements array is disposed within the display area and the driving circuit is disposed within the circuit area and electrically connected to the active elements array. The conductive flexible board is partially disposed at the first substrate and electrically connected to the driving circuit. The electro-phoretic layer and the second substrate are sequentially disposed on the active elements array and the driving circuit. A fabricating method of electro-phoretic display device is also disclosed.

Abstract: A fiber laser apparatus includes an optical amplification fiber with a multi-core structure composed of a first waveguide that pumping light enters and that transmits the pumping light; a second waveguide composed of a core containing a laser medium and for generating laser, and a clad for transmitting pumping light; and a third waveguide containing the first waveguide and the second waveguide. The optical amplification fiber is wound while the curvature radius is being changed to provide a small-size, high-power fiber laser apparatus.

Abstract: A method of operating a fiber amplifier characterized by a spectral gain curve includes providing an input signal at a signal wavelength. The signal wavelength lies within an in-band portion of the spectral gain curve extending from a first in-band wavelength to a second in-band wavelength, the in-band portion being characterized by a first amplitude range. The method also includes providing pump radiation at a pump wavelength. The pump wavelength is less than the signal wavelength. The method further includes coupling the pump radiation to the fiber amplifier and amplifying the input signal to generate an output signal. All portions of the spectral gain curve at wavelengths less than the first in-band wavelength and greater than the pump wavelength are characterized by a second amplitude less than or equal to 10 dB greater than the first amplitude range.

Abstract: The various laser architectures described herein provide increased gain of optical energy as well as compensation of optical phase distortions in a thin disk gain medium. An optical amplifier presented herein provides for scalable high energy extraction and gains based on a number of passes of the signal beam through a gain medium. Multiple, spatially separate, optical paths may also be passed through the same gain region to provide gain clearing by splitting off a small percentage of an output pulse and sending it back through the amplifier along a slightly different path. By clearing out the residual gain, uniform signal amplitudes can be obtained.

Abstract: Three or more devices can be connected to a microscope and can be used simultaneously. Provided is a microscope connecting unit including a microscope connection port that is connected to a microscope used to observe a sample; three or more unit connection ports to which a stimulating unit that irradiates the sample with light or a confocal observation unit or an image capturing unit that detects light generated at the sample is connectable; and two or more light-path combining units that are disposed between the microscope connecting port and the unit connection ports and that combine light paths optically connecting the microscope with the confocal observation unit, the stimulating unit, and the image capturing unit.

Abstract: A display method and system are described for displaying a stereo image comprising a first image and a second image. A light valve array comprising an array of light valve elements is driven according to an image and a light source is provided for generating a shaped light beam which can illuminate a portion of the light valve array. A scanning device is provided which is arranged to scan the shaped light beam across the light valve array. Light valve elements of the same light valve array are caused to sequentially adopt a state representative of the first image of the stereoscopic image and a state representative of the second image, and to cause the light valve elements to adopt a new state representative of one of the first and second images in advance of the scanning by the shaped light beam and to change to a new state representative of the other of the first and second images during a period between successive scans of the shaped light beam.

Abstract: A method and system of aligning color filter array are disclosed. Other embodiments are disclosed herein.

Abstract: A spectral reflectance in the entire visible wavelength range may be decreased to decrease inconveniences in an image such as flare or ghost. A non-reflective periodic layer including a large number of fine uneven periodic structure bodies is formed on a substrate, and a neutral density (“ND”) film is formed on the other surface of the substrate by vacuum deposition, to improve an anti-reflection function. Regarding a beam entering the ND filter, the MgF2 film of the formed ND film suppresses the spectral reflectance at the boundary of the atmosphere and the ND film and at the boundary of the ND film and the substrate. The non-reflective periodic layer decreases the reflectance at the boundary of the substrate and the atmosphere.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a window and light guiding film therein. The light guiding film includes a film base and at least one microstructure. The microstructure is disposed on a side of the film base, and comprises a first surface and a second surface. The refraction index of the microstructure is 1.9 to 2.6. A first inclination angle is between the first surface and a reference plane, the reference plane is perpendicular to the film base, and a second inclination angle is between the second surface and the reference plane, wherein the first inclination angle is less than or equal to the second inclination angle.

Abstract: There is provided a lenticular sheet including: a lenticular lens having a plurality of convex lens parts arranged two-dimensionally; a first ink absorbing layer which is provided on a surface, of the lenticular lens, opposite the convex lens parts and in which ink permeates; a suppressing part provided on the first ink absorbing layer to divide the first ink absorbing layer into a plurality of regions and suppressing the ink from permeating across the plurality of the regions; and a second ink absorbing layer provided to cover the suppressing part.

Abstract: A multilayer sheeting with a 3D floating image. The sheeting includes a layer of microlenses and a multilayer material disposed adjacent the microlenses. The multilayer material includes multiple adjacent layers having X-Y planar positions and a Z-direction orthogonal to the X-Y planar positions. Individual images, which contrast with the material, are formed in the multilayer material and include connected elements at interfaces between the multiple layers and conjunction elements between connected elements. The connected elements are registered in the Z-direction at the X-Y planar positions in the interfaces between the layers. The individual images collectively form a composite 3D image that appears to the unaided eye to be three-dimensional and floating above or below the sheeting, or both.

Abstract: A lens includes a lens portion having two opposite oblong surfaces at least one of which is a curved lens surface having a reflective power. A cross-sectional area of the lens portion varies from a center toward each end in a longitudinal direction of the lens portion. A rib portion is disposed at each of two opposite sides of the lens portion adjacent to longer sides of the oblong surfaces of the lens portion, and extends along the longitudinal direction of the lens portion. A cross-sectional area of the rib portion varies along the longitudinal direction in a manner that renders variations of a cross-sectional area of a portion including the lens portion and the rib portion along the longitudinal direction of the lens portion smaller.

Abstract: One embodiment provides for a gradient lens having a first substantially hemispherical member comprising a first convex surface and a base and a second substantially hemispherical member projecting away from the base of the first hemispherical member and comprising a second convex surface. The gradient lens also includes a plurality of gradient layers disposed within the first hemispherical member, each gradient layer concentrically aligned to the first hemispherical member and comprising an index of refraction different than that of adjacent gradient layers.

Abstract: The present invention relates generally to an arcuate liquid meniscus lens, some specific embodiments include a liquid meniscus lens with a front curve arcuate lens and a back curve arcuate lens. Embodiments may also include a lens of suitable size and shape for inclusion in a contact lens.

Abstract: A fluidic lens may have a reservoir at least partially bounded by a first optical surface and a second optical surface. A fluid fills a volume of the reservoir. A piston is configured to contact a portion of the first or second optical surface from outside the reservoir. One or more of the first optical surface or second optical surface is configured to deform as a result of a change in a pressure applied to the fluid or a change in contact between the piston and the first or second optical surface. A rim may be disposed outside the reservoir and configured to contact and provide additional deformation to one or more of the first or second optical surface.

Abstract: A zoom lens includes, in order from an object side to an image side, a first lens unit of a negative refractive power, a second lens unit of a positive refractive power, and a third lens unit of a positive refractive power, an interval between the first lens unit and the second lens unit and an interval between the second lens unit and the third lens unit being configured to change in zooming from a wide angle end to a telephoto end. The first lens unit includes, in order from the object side to the image side, a negative lens and a positive lens. The predetermined conditions are satisfied.

Abstract: An embodiment of this invention provides a zoom lens, which comprises, in order from an object side to an image-forming side, a first lens group having negative refractive power, a second lens group having positive refractive power, and a third lens group having positive refractive power. Further, the zoom lens satisfies the following conditions: (1) DG1/fw>0.72; (2) DG2/fw<0.72; and (3) TTL/fw<7.0, wherein fw is the focal length of the optical zoom lens at a wide-angle end, DG1 is the thickness of the first lens group, DG2 is the thickness of the second lens group, and TTL is the total thickness of the zoom lens, i.e., the distance between the object side of the first lens group and an image-forming plane of the zoom lens.

Abstract: A zoom lens includes, in order from the object side, a positive first lens group, a negative second lens group, a positive third lens group, a positive fourth lens group, a negative fifth lens group, and a positive sixth lens group. The first lens group, the third lens group, and the sixth lens group are fixed. The second lens group, fourth lens group, and the fifth lens group are movable. The first lens group includes a reflecting optical element that bends the optical path. The second lens group includes a negative lens and a cemented lens made up of a negative lens and a positive lens. The third lens group includes an aperture stop. The fourth lens group includes a positive lens and a negative lens. The fifth lens group includes a negative lens.

Abstract: A zoom lens includes, from the object side, a first lens unit having a positive refractive power, a second lens unit having a negative refractive power, and a subsequent lens unit. The first lens unit includes an optical element composed of an anomalous dispersion optical material, a positive lens, and a negative lens. The shape of the negative lens and the ratio of the Abbe number of the positive lens and the Abbe number of the negative lens satisfy predetermined conditions.

Abstract: A zoom lens system, in order from an object side to an image side, comprising a positive first lens unit, a negative second lens unit, a positive third lens unit, and a positive fourth lens unit, wherein the first lens unit is composed of a cemented lens element of one object side negative lens element and one image side positive lens element, the fourth lens unit is composed of one lens element, in zooming, the first to fourth lens units are individually moved along an optical axis so that air spaces between the respective lens units vary for magnification change, and the conditions: vdL12<43.50 and fT/fW?6.0 (vdL12: an Abbe number of the positive lens element in the first lens unit, fT and fW: focal lengths of the entire system at a telephoto limit and a wide-angle limit) are satisfied; an imaging device; and a camera.

Abstract: A zoom lens and an imaging optical device including the same, the zoom lens including, sequentially from an object side, a first lens group having a negative refractive power, a second lens group having a positive refractive power, and a third lens group having a positive refractive power, wherein the first lens group includes a spherical negative lens and an aspherical positive lens and the second lens group includes a positive lens and a negative lens, the positive lens and the negative lens including three or more aspherical surfaces.

Abstract: The lens barrel includes a first frame, a second frame configured to be rotatably supported by the first frame, a drive actuator that is disposed on the inside of the second frame, and a transmission mechanism disposed on the inside of the second frame and configured to transmit the drive force of the drive actuator to the second frame. The imaging device includes the above-mentioned lens barrel and an imaging element that converts an optical image formed by this lens barrel into image data.

Abstract: A lens barrel includes a first support frame and a second support frame. The first support frame has a cam groove. The second support frame has an annular main body with a cam follower that extends outwardly in a radial direction. The cam follower is slidably disposed in the cam groove and has a first cam portion, a second cam portion and a connecting portion. The second cam portion is aligned with the first cam portion along the circumferential direction of the main body. The connecting portion connects the first cam portion and the second cam portion to create a space between the connecting portion and the cam groove.

Abstract: A catadioptric objective configured to inspect a specimen is provided. The catadioptric objective includes a Mangin element having one surface at a first axial location and an extension element positioned together with the Mangin element. The extension element provides a second surface at a second axial location. Certain light energy reflected from the specimen passes to the second surface of the extension element, the Mangin element, and through a plurality of lenses. An aspheric surface may be provided, and light energy may be provided to the specimen using diverting elements such as prisms or reflective surfaces.

Abstract: What is described is a modified retrofocus-type wide-angle lens, with, as seen from the object, a front group (G1) with negative refractive power, a first rear group (Gh1) with positive refractive power displaceable along the optical axis for focusing purposes and a second rear group (Gh2) with positive refractive power facing an image plane.

Abstract: An imaging lens apparatus comprises four lenses with refractive power by which lead the light from the object side to the image side: a first lens with a convex object-side surface and positive refractive power, at least one surface of the first lens is aspheric; an aperture stop set next to the first lens; a second lens which is a biconcave lens with negative refractive power, at least one surface of the second lens is aspheric; a third lens which is a positive meniscus lens with a concave object-side surface, both side of the third lens are aspheric; and a fourth lens which is a negative meniscus lens with a convex object-side surface, both side of the fourth lens are aspheric with at least one inflection point; and the imaging lens apparatus satisfy the conditions below: |1/slope_S8|>0.9; ?0.2<SAG_S8<0.1.

Abstract: A driving control device according to the present invention includes: a fixed member; an operation member arranged to be manually rotatable with respect to the fixed member; a transducer arranged in one of the fixed member and the operation member and arranged to come into contact with an opposed surface of the other of the fixed member and the operation member; a position detecting section for detecting a position of the operation member with respect to the fixed member; and an operation force amount control section for controlling driving of the transducer to change contact friction force generated when the transducer contacts with the fixed member or the operation member. The operation force amount control section controls the transducer such that the contact friction force applied to the operation member when the operation member is manually rotated with respect to the fixed member changes to a sense of click.

Abstract: A lens barrel is provided that includes a base, a motor, a drive gear, and a rotary frame. The motor is fixed to the base and produces a driving force. The drive gear is coupled to the base and configured to transmit the driving force. The rotary frame has a substantially cylindrical shape and a gear component disposed on at least part of its inner peripheral surface. The gear component meshes with the drive gear so that during rotation of the drive gear the rotary frame rotates, via the driving force, relative to the base component and advances and retracts along a rotational axis of the lens barrel. The length of the drive gear is greater than the length of the gear component, and as the rotary frame and the gear component advance and retract, the gear component remains within a range of opposing ends of the drive gear.

Abstract: A characteristic evaluation method of a perpendicular magnetic recording medium suitable for obtaining a perpendicular magnetic recording medium which can respond to much higher recording density is provided.

Abstract: According to one embodiment, a method includes writing, to a regular recording region of a tape medium after having written a first data accumulated in a buffer to a temporary recording region of the tape medium without an accompanying backhitch, a first data group that includes the first data that has any gaps between data eliminated, predicting a second volume of a second data, to be written in response to a command that is sent after the first data has been written to the regular recording region, judging whether the first volume exceeds a first threshold and whether or the second volume exceeds a second threshold, and writing the second data to the regular recording region without an accompanying backhitch when it has been judged that the first volume exceeds the first threshold and the second volume exceeds the second threshold.

Abstract: Inter-track interference cancelation is disclosed, including: receiving an input sequence of samples associated with a track on magnetic storage; using a processor to generate inter-track interference (ITI) data associated with a first side track including by performing a correlation between the input sequence of samples and a sequence of data associated with the first side track.

Abstract: Various embodiments of the present invention provide systems and methods for data processing. As an example, a data processing circuit is disclosed that includes a codeword detector circuit operable to apply a codeword based data detection algorithm to a data input corresponding to an encoded servo data region to yield a detected output, and a servo address mark processing circuit operable to identify a pre-defined pattern in the detected output.

Abstract: A “write-squeeze-verify” method is used for verification of the data that has been written in the annular bands of a shingled magnetic recording disk drive. The writing of data along a track overwrites a portion of the previously written track and thus “squeezes” the data of the previously written track to thereby form a “shingled data track” (SDT). The data in each SDT is read back and verified by an error correction check using error correction bits associated with the data written in the SDT, or by comparing the readback data with the data stored in memory. If the data read back is not verified, a write error counter is incremented and a write error frequency is calculated. One or more attempts to write the data can be performed. If the data in the SDT cannot be verified after the attempted rewrite(s), then a “re-try fail” is reported.